U.S. reports North Korea sends troops to Russia to support Ukraine invasion

The U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced that North Korean troops have been sent to Russia, marking a significant development in the relationship between the two countries amid the ongoing Ukraine war. South Korean officials first reported this last week. Estimates suggest around 3,000 North Korean troops are currently in Russia, with potential plans for more than 10,000 by year-end. Ukrainian officials have not yet seen North Koreans in combat but have called for their surrender if they engage. This troop deployment follows a strategic partnership agreement between North Korea and Russia, which includes military cooperation. South Korea is now considering supplying weapons to Ukraine, a shift from its previous stance.